Entries by Norman Warwick

READERS´  WRITINGS

Sidetracks And Detours are always delighted to receive recommendations from readers of stories and artists they feel we should address. Peter Pearson has suggested we look at some satelite subjects around Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits. peter and i are good friends but I must have somehow misled him into thinking we have a staff here about the size of Sky News, Don´t worry though Peter, our researchers are already out there, sifting for gold. Thanks, seriously, this will be good fun

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STARS ON THE WATER

I am in fact aware of a strange contradiction in my attitude to all this discussion of what is best, what is favourite and who wrote what. My view on all this might be best summed up by something Hugh Moffatt (I think) once said to me in an interview, that ´we must intend what we write for live years of travel´, and when we have done so , according to Roland Barthesian theory, the author ´dies´ and the song belongs instead to the people.

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DUKE ELLINGTON and the notes the world was not yet ready

subtitled The Notes The World Was Not Ready For, illuminates the historical significance of the compositions that helped create a paradigm shift in American music, race relations and culture. It is an engrossing story of “mysterious callings” that led Ellington to choose Randall Keith Horton as his assistant composer, conductor and pianist in 1973, and the author’s serendipitous connection to Horton.

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a year of MANCHESTER FESTIVALS

19th-28th May 2023 will see Manchester Jazz Festival take place at venues and sites across Manchester, including weekday gigs at St Ann’s Church, nightly gigs at Matt & Phreds, events at Forsyth Music Shop and at The Yard with partners NQ Jazz, and close with an extended weekend-long party at Band on the Wall. In fact according to today´s headline on their web site, MANCHESTER JAZZ FESTIVAL WILL BRING ‘THE SOUND OF SURPRISE’ TO THE CITY IN MAY.

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ENGLISH FOLK EXPO PARTNERSHIP SHOWCASES 2023

It is obvious how much professionalism and organisation has been brought to the UK folk scene by EFE, and how they have created a productive and cost efficient environment, that enable artists to better focus on their artistic skills so that their song-writing and playing flourishes.

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Á MAN IN DIRE STRAITS

As one of the founding members of Dire Straits (with Mark Knopfler, his brother David and drummer Pick Withers) John played a major role in the development of the Dire Straits sound. When Dire Straits finished touring in 1993, John became involved in the art world. Having carved a reputation for himself as a painter, John had solo exhibitions in London, New York, Sydney, and across Europe. He also cofounded the children’s charity Life Education in 1987, which was recently integrated into Coram, one of the oldest UK charities. John also owns a pub, the East End Arms in the New Forest.

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Tony Brady is READING THE FOREST

So, are you a keen reader? You must be if you have travelled down this far in this article, so perhaps you might  like to write, record or film your own book review? Research a Forest book or author? Help run an event? (The organisation behind this site can show you how, and are creating their own online ‘how to’ guides).

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